SELMA, AL – October 28, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today selected recipients in 50 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for grants to make critical repairs and improve housing conditions for low- and very-low-income rural residents. Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Doug O’Brien announced the recipients today on Secretary Vilsack’s behalf while attending a local Farm Bill listening session in Selma, Ala.
“Providing safe housing to rural residents is a key to maintaining stable communities and creating jobs,” Vilsack said. “Across America, USDA works in partnership with Tribes, community organizations and non-profit groups to improve living conditions for thousands of rural residents.”
The support Vilsack is announcing today is being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Housing Preservation Grants program. Funds are provided to intermediaries such as town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and non-profit and faith-based and community organizations. These organizations then distribute the grants to homeowners and owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to low- and very-low-income residents.
Grants may be used to make general repairs, such as installing or improving plumbing or providing or enhancing access to people with disabilities. Funds may also be used to weatherize and make homes more energy efficient.
For example, Western Illinois Regional Council, a community action agency, will use a $75,000 Rural Development grant along with more than $476,000 in state funds to help up to 17 very-low-income households in a four-county area make repairs to reduce energy use.
A $58,582 grant to the Coquille Indian Housing Authority will help replace 54 wind- and water-damaged roofs on the homes of low-income residents in Oregon’s Coos County. The entire project, which will cost more than $860,000, leverages funding from the Coquille Indian Tribe and other agencies over the next two years.
In another effort, the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council will use a $159,185 Rural Development grant and $135,408 from other government and private sources to help up to 30 very-low-income families rehabilitate their homes in a12-county area.
The following is a complete list of recipients. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the grant agreement.
Alabama
- Community Service Program of West Alabama – $158,960
- Organized Community Action Program, Inc. – $122,475
Alaska
- Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority – $50,000
Arizona
- Cocopah Indian housing and Development – $146, 548
Arkansas
- Universal Housing Development – $47,545
- Mississippi County Arkansas Economic Opportunity Commission – $47,545
- Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council – $47,545
- Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation – $47,545
California
- Campo Band of Mission Indians – $54,500
- Community Energy Services Corporation – $44,000
- County of Nevada – $75,000
- County of Yolo – $65,000
- Desert Alliance for Community Empowerment (DACE) – $100,000
- Habitat for Humanity Lake County CA, Inc. – $52,500
- Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel – $45,500
- NeighborWorks Homeownership Center – $65,000
- Self-Help Enterprises – $122,500
- Self-Help Home Improvement Project– $80,000
- Smith River Rancheria – $58,750
- Washoe Housing Authority – $37,083
Colorado
- Habitat for Humanity of Montrose County – $32,653
- Huerfano/Las Animas Area Council of governments (dba South Central Council of Government) – $36,653
Connecticut
- The Access Agency – $23,335
- Rebuilding Together Litchfield County – $26,665
Delaware
- Kent County Levy Court – $50,000
Florida
- Suwannee River Economic Council – $100,000
- Town of Century – $100,000
Georgia
- Action, Inc. – $159,185
- City of Cordele – $125,041
- Southwest Georgia Community Action Agency – $159,185
- Southwest Georgia United Empowerment Zone, Inc. – $125,041
Hawaii
- Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council – $65,040
Idaho
- South Central Community Action Partnership, Inc. – $61,171
Illinois
- Crosswalk Community Action Agency – $92, 620
- Shawnee Development Council, Inc. – $17, 623
- Southeastern Illinois Regional Planning & Development Commission – $30,000
- Western Illinois Regional Council, Community Action Agency – $75,000
Indiana
- Hoosier Upland Economic Development – $26,369
- Southern Indiana Development Commission – $79,110 (total for four awards)
- Northeast Indiana Housing Partnership – $21,369
- Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission – $50,738 (total for two awards)
Iowa
- South Central Iowa Community Action Program – $55,161
- Iowa northland Regional Council of Governments – $55,161
- Upper Explorer and Regional Planning Commission – $51, 161
- Charles City Area Development Corporation – $51, 161
Kansas
- Homestead Affordable Housing, Inc . – $47,500
- Coffey County Housing Authority – $47,500
Kentucky
- HOMES, Inc. – $95,585
- LKLP Community Action Council, Inc. – $95,585
- Purchase Area Housing, Inc. – $95,585
Louisiana
- St. Landry Parish Community Action Agency – $130,493
- Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans – $130,493
Maine
- Community Concepts, INC – $25,167
- Western Maine Community Action – $25,000
- Penquis Community Action Program, INC – $25,000
- Penobscot Indian Nation – $25,000
Maryland
- Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc. – $32,225
- Shore Up, Inc. – $32,225
- Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee, Inc. – $8,000
Massachusetts
- Plymouth Redevelopment Authority – $32,643
- Town of Palmer – $32,643
Michigan
- Alpena County Home Improvement Program – $40,000
- Crawford County Home Improvement Program – $ 40,000
- Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency – $125,000 (total for five awards)
- Oscoda County Housing Commission – $40,097
Minnesota
- Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency – $68,869
- Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership – $68,869
Mississippi
- Greater Greenville Housing & Revitalization Association, Inc. – $130,905
- WWISCAA, Inc. (Warren, Washington, Issaquena, and Sharkey) – $130,905
Missouri
- West Central MO Community Action Agency – $52,532
- East Missouri Action Agency – $100,000
- Rural Advocates for Independent Living, Inc. – $50,000
Montana
- City of Shelby – $30,522
- Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D – $30,500
Nebraska
- Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska – $29,350
- Glenrod Hills Community Action, Inc. – $29,350
Nevada
- Moapa Indian Housing Authority –$50,000
- Yerington Paiute Tribal Housing Authority – $50,000
New Hampshire
- Southwestern Community Services, Inc. – $50,000
- Tri-County Community Action Program, Inc. – $50,000
New Jersey
- County of Gloucester – $50,000
- Housing Accessibility and Rehabilitation Program – $50,000
New Mexico
- Tierra del sol Housing Corporation – $118,308
New York
- Bishop Sheen Ecumenical housing Foundation, Inc., – $90,000
- Snow Belt Housing Co, Inc. – $75,000
- Southern Hills Preservation Corporation – $60,000
- Steuben Churchpeople Against Poverty, Inc. – $62,100
North Carolina
- Bryson City – $90,000
- City of Monroe – $100,000
- City of Murphy – $90,000
- City of Hayesville – $90,000
North Dakota
- Red River Regional Council – $44,194
- Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians – $91,954
Ohio
- Meigs County Commissioners – $65,000
- Neighborhood Development Services – $100,000
- Picaway County Community Action Org., Inc. – $100,000
- Pike County Commissioners – $19,039
Oklahoma
- Freedom West Community Development Corporation – $38,000
- Northeast Oklahoma Community Action Agency, Inc. – $131,295 (total for three awards)
- Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma – $40,000
- Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc. – $40,000
Oregon
- Community Services Consortium – $58,582
- Coquille Indian Housing Authority – $58,582
- Umpqua Community Development Corporation – $50,000
Pennsylvania
- County of Armstrong – $65,000
- Redevelopment Authority of the County of Monroe – $98,654
- Borough of Grove City – $97,500
- Huntingdon County – $42,397
Puerto Rico
- Municipality of Moca – $45,312
- Municipality of Manati – $90,000
- Municipality of Jayuya – $90,000
- Municipality of Canovanas – $90,000
- Municipality of Barceloneta – $90,000
South Carolina
- Telamon Corporation – $40,000
- Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources, Inc. – $66,468
- City of Darlington – $35,000
- City of Bennettsville – $ 30,000
- Beaufort-Jasper Economic Opportunity Commission, Inc. – $50,000
South Dakota
- City of Mobridge – $50,000
- Neighborhood Housing Services of the Black Hills, Inc. – $50,000
Tennessee
- Greene County – $100,000
- Reelfoot Rural Ministries, Inc. – $25,000
- Of One Accord, Inc. – $100,000
- Mountain T.O.P., Inc. – $80,000
Texas
- East Texas Council of Governments – $67,815
- Economic Opportunity Advancement Corporation – $201,600
- Fort Bend Community Revitalization Projects – $200,000
- Panhandle Community Services – $160,000
Utah
- State of Utah, Division of Housing and Community Development – $50,000
- Uintah Basin Association of Governments – $50,000
Vermont
- Central Vermont Community Land Trust – $50,000
- Champlain Housing Loan Fund – $50,000
- Gilman Housing Trust, Inc. – $83,306
- Northeast Employment and Training – $83,306
- Southeastern Vermont Community Action – $50,000
- Vermont Center for Independent Living – $83,306
Virginia
- Piedmont Housing Alliance – $218,998
Washington
- Lummi Nation Housing Authority – $71,750
- Opportunity Council – $71,750
West Virginia
- Community Resources, Inc. – $50,000
- Housing Authority of Wayne County – $75,000
- Southern Appalachian Labor School – $72,000
Wisconsin
- Chippewa County Housing Authority – $77,000
- Couleecap, Inc. – $77,102
Wyoming
- Northwest Community Action Programs of Wyoming, Inc. – $50,000
Since taking office, President Obama’s Administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs creating job opportunities and for people who want to live, work, and raise their families in rural communities.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $155 billion in affordable loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
Contact:
Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
